The month of March was quite busy preparing for our Annual Art Show. Our incredible artists worked so hard to create their “mini masterpieces” . The artists they studied were Maud Lewis’/ Lighthouse, Joan Miro’s /Daybreak, David Hockney’s / Umbrella 1971, and Piet Mondrian’s/ Composition in yellow, red and blue. We also celebrated Dr. Seuss’s Birthday with a comprehensive study of his books and art. They sculpted with clay to create Dr. Seuss’s Hat, and drew a pencil and crayon sketch of the Cat in the Hat.
As the saying goes, ”March Comes in like a Lion and Goes Out like a Lamb” and this March was no different. At circle each morning, the children graphed what kind of day it was - final results: More Lamb than Lion days.
In the Science Center we are observing caterpillars as they transform into Painted Lady Butterflies. Painted Lady Butterflies are indigenous to this area. The children have enjoyed checking on their daily progress and were very excited when they were all in their chrysalis. We are looking forward to seeing the Painted Lady Butterflies emerge from their chrysalis! The children enjoyed drawing the life cycle of the butterfly, please be sure to ask your child what the 4 stages are.
Pre-kindergarten individual small groups, covered some new as well as some old subject matter. Rhyming words were reviewed with a variety of hands on manipulatives. The Family and Personal Information Knowledge such as full name, address and emergency phone numbers were covered and finally - Geometry concepts were explored; Shapes, angles sides and finding similiarities and differences between various shapes. Geomags, a magnetic manipulative was used and enjoyed. Tangrams were also a hit! We have completed our work in our Handwriting Without Tears Journals, practicing at home is highly encouraged.
The Kindergarten class wrapped up their unit on money and time. They really enjoyed the money poems and were able to recite them all on their own when identifying coins. During the money unit we reinforced our counting by 5’s and 10’s - they all have it down pat!! The children are becoming math whizzes - they are very into their number scrolls, many friends are on their way to 300 and beyond. The weekly reading program has been a huge success - I couldn’t be more happier with the fluency and confidence each child has while reading - many enjoy bringing home challenge books for themselves - WAY TO GO!!! We are just about finished with our Handwriting Without Tears Journals - the progress shows each day in their neat work! During the month of April we will be planting beans and will journal the growth each day.
Important dates for April:
April 2nd CLOSED Good Friday
April 6th - Pre-K/Kindergarten Art Show 6-7
April 19th CLOSED Patriots Day
Thanks so much, any questions please feel free to ask a teacher!
Ms, Stacey, Ms. Dianne, Ms. Jill, Ms. Karen, Miss Jenny & Miss Maura